In a controversial move that blurs the lines between technology and artistry, Drake's use of AI to clone 2Pac's voice in his ongoing feud with Kendrick Lamar sparks debate across the hip hop community.
- Apr 24, 2024
AceShowbiz - In the fast-evolving world of hip hop, technology has ushered in a new era of creativity and controversy. Drake's recent diss track aimed at Kendrick Lamar, featuring artificial intelligence-generated verses from rap legends Tupac Shakur and Snoop Dogg, has ignited a firestorm of debate within the music community and beyond.
This bold move by Drake has not only escalated his feud with Lamar but has also raised ethical questions regarding the use of AI in art.
The track titled "Taylor Made Freestyle," a sequel to Drake's "Push Ups," seeks to taunt Lamar into responding, with an AI 2Pac voice stating, "Kendrick, we need ya, the West Coast savior…F*ck this Canadian light-skin, Dot/We need a no-debated West Coast victory, man."
The use of Tupac's voice, especially in a diss track, has drawn sharp criticism, particularly from Tupac's brother, Mopreme Shakur. Speaking to TMZ, Mopreme condemned the weaponization of his sibling's voice in a feud that Tupac Shakur was never a part of.
He also highlighted the potential misinterpretation by younger generations and the necessity for disputes like Drake and Kendrick's to remain a sport, emphasizing the importance of keeping it non-physical.
Critics and supporters alike have chimed in, with some applauding Drake's ingenuity and others decrying it as a step too far, risking the dilution of genuine human artistry. Notably, Mopreme's concerns reflect a broader apprehension about the implications of AI in music, fearing that the digital replication of icons like 2Pac could lead fans, especially younger ones, to mistake these computer-generated verses for real, unreleased material.
Adding to the complexity of reactions, Suge Knight commented on the controversial inclusion of Snoop Dogg in the track, referring to the historical tensions that once existed between Tupac and Snoop during the infamous East Coast-West Coast rivalry of the '90s. His remarks show the sensitivity surrounding the legacies of hip hop's storied past, further complicating the ethical considerations of using AI to resurrect the voices of departed artists.
As the debate over Drake's "Taylor Made Freestyle" continues, the hip hop community finds itself at a crossroads, grappling with the possibilities and pitfalls of integrating artificial intelligence into the fabric of musical expression.
This incident not only highlights the technological advancements within the industry but also calls into question the moral boundaries of artistic creation, setting the stage for a broader discussion on the future of music in the digital age.
